As the owner of a commercial building, you want to keep your investment in good shape. Not only that, but maybe you have experienced firsthand how costly a commercial roofing replacement can be. It is never a good day when you find out you have a leak in your building, but thankfully, there are proactive ways to extend the life of your commercial roof.
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How to Extend the Life of Your Commercial Roof
Here are the steps you should take to save you and your tenants from a lot of trouble.
1. Schedule an Inspection After Anyone Goes Up on the Roof
Be sure you know when anyone is accessing your roof and for what purpose. Even professionals like electricians and air conditioning technicians may inadvertently damage your property. If someone has been up on your roof, you should probably contact an inspector to take a look and see if any damage has occurred. An inspector can also help you learn what to look for in a well-maintained roof.
2. Invest in a Maintenance Plan
Once your roof has been inspected, you’ll have a good idea of the wear and tear on it and whether or not it even needs any maintenance. It’s also a great way to learn about some options for roof repair or full removal and replacement. You can also set up a regular plan to clean and inspect your roof. Twice a year is the minimum, but an even better plan would be a visual inspection quarterly. All this inspection may seem costly, but in the long run, it is cheaper to invest in a preventative roof maintenance plan than it is to have a new roof installed.
3. Get Reflective Roof Coatings
One simple solution to minor leaks or an aging roof is to invest in a quality reflective roof coating. There are many advantages to having your roof professionally coated. A roof coating will seal and repair any leaks as well as protect the rest of your roof. Coatings will extend the life of your roof for 5 to 7 years. Even better, they are much less expensive than a full roof removal and replacement. You might even qualify for some federal tax breaks for installing reflective roof coating. Because reflective coatings reflect heat from the sun, your coated roof will also save you a lot money in air conditioning bills.
Read More: Reflective Roof Coatings: What Are the Benefits?
4. Refer to Your Warranty
You may never have thought of it, but your roof might be covered by a manufacturer warranty. This can be great news, but it may also add some additional steps for you to take. Many warranties demand that your roof get regular inspections and that proper building materials are used for maintenance. Everything the warranty instructs you to do will ensure a long life for your roof.
5. Educate Yourself
You can learn a lot by speaking with a certified roof inspector or contractor. Since your roof should be cleaned from debris at least twice a year, you can learn to check it yourself for any damaged spots or cracks. Knowing what types of roof damage to look for will help you keep your piece of mind.
6. Know Your Weather Risk Factors
You should also keep in mind that here in Las Vegas the desert sun and wind can create a lot of wear and tear on our roofs. But we also have a relatively short and predictable rainy season. This leaves us with plenty of time during the dry season to fix any possible leaks or cracks before rain decides to turn your sales floor into a wet mess. The flip side to this is that an issue in the roof can go a long time (and get worse) before you ever notice it. Regular inspections of your roof will ensure that you catch any small problems before they become big ones.
Remember, roof maintenance is relatively easy and inexpensive, especially compared to having to replace your entire commercial roof. Taking care of your property is as simple as:
- Knowing who has had roof access and making sure they aren’t causing damage to your property
- Utilizing the experience and knowledge of a qualified inspector or roof contractor
- Keeping your roof clear of debris regularly
- Referring to your roof warranty if you have one
Always be sure that you contractor uses quality roofing materials whenever repairs are done. Doing these steps will ensure that your roof will remain viable for years.
